Program Description
TIME (Targeted Self-Management for Epilepsy and Mental Illness) is a psychosocial treatment program that blends psychoeducation, problem identification/goal-setting, and behavioral modeling/reinforcement in a group format to improve epilepsy and mental health outcomes among adults with epilepsy and mental illness.
TIME is designed to improve health management for people with epilepsy by increasing care engagement, optimizing use of evidence-based treatments, adoption of a healthy life-style to minimize seizure risk, and addressing co-morbid mental health conditions that complicate epilepsy outcomes.
In-person group sessions are held over a 10-12 week time period and co-led by a trained nurse educator and a trained peer educator. The peer educator is someone with both epilepsy and experience with a mental health condition. Groups follow a written curriculum, and each sessions lasts 60-90 minutes concluding with an interactive discussion. Groups are limited to about 6- 10 adult participants.
After the group sessions are done, Individuals have 2 telephone maintenance sessions with the nurse educator spaced approximately 2 weeks apart.
To learn more about the program and our partnerships, visit the Epilepsy Association. To hear about the program from a participant & peer educator, click the video below.
Target population
Adults with epilepsy and comorbid mental illness such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or schizophrenia.
6-10 participants per group.
Facilitators
Trained nurse educator and trained peer educator.
Training Requirements
Nurse and peer educator orientation and training: 2-half day sessions.
Debriefing sessions with the nurse and peer educators as needed (expect 2-4 over 1 year).
Resource Requirements
Adequate space for group sessions and ability to display PowerPoint to group.
Toll-free number and teleconference line available for those unable to attend in-person sessions.
Reimbursement costs of public transportation to in-person sessions for individuals that do not have other resources. Original program costs for this were in the order of $5/per person/session.
Costs
The cost of TIME varies based upon staffing and number of participants in a group and geographical setting. The following reflect original program costs:
Nurse educators are typically paid $50/session including training sessions.
Peer educators are typically paid $25-$30/session including training sessions.
Other costs include printing the TIME instructor manual, TIME participant manuals, and session PowerPoint slides.
After the initial training, the time commitment for Nurse and Peer educators should not exceed 1-3 hours/week.